KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin today made a formal apology to the Dewan Negara for confusing the Senate with his statement in the Upper House last week on Sabahan lass Veveonah Mosibin.
This is with regards to Zahidi's claim that Veveonah was an "attention-seeker" who tried to gain views for her YouTube channel when she posted a video of her climbing a tree to gain better internet access to sit for online examinations during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period.
"I would like to apologise to the House for causing confusion over the matter involving Veveonah.
"I am sorry that the information given by the (Kudat) member of parliament (Abdul Rahim Bakri) has caused unease among some quarters.
"Perhaps my views were misinterpreted," he told the Dewan Negara today.
In June, Veveonah, a student of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) who hails from Kampung Sapatalang in Pitas, made headlines after a video of her climbing a tree to gain better internet access to sit for online examinations during the RMCO was shared on social media.
The video subsequently went viral and sparked intense discussions online, with many calling on the authorities to tackle internet connectivity problems in rural areas.
During a Dewan Negara session on Sept 3, Senator Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin had asked what the government plans to do to ensure proper internet access in rural areas, citing Veveonah's case.
Zahidi responded to the question by saying the Sabahan student was just a YouTuber and was not sitting for an exam.
He said his department's checks showed that Veveonah was just trying to make a name for herself and did it for entertainment purposes.
After severe backlash by politicians and netizens, Zahidi apologised to Veveonah on the same day and said he had received "inaccurate information" on the matter.
Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim made a ruling earlier in the afternoon today for Zahidi to explain his statement on Veveonah to the House and to issue an apology to the relevant party.
Rais said should Zahidi fail to do so, the latter will be referred to the Parliament's Rights and Privileges Committee.
The ruling was made following a motion moved by Pakatan Harapan's Senator Alan Ling Sie Kiong today.
Zahidi, who is also Padang Besar member of parliament, said the concerns aired by Veveonah on the lack of internet coverage in the area was a noble effort. He subsequently pledged to resolve connection issues there.
"I take full responsibility and the government has agreed that this issue is about poor internet coverage in rural areas in Sabah and therefore the matter should be given proper attention so that it can be resolved.
"What Veveonah did in showing that there is poor internet coverage in rural areas is a commendable struggle that should be praised.
"However, as a father, I think that sitting on top of a tree at night just to get internet coverage is a dangerous act," he said.
In response to Zahidi's apology, Ling expressed hope that such a situation will not recur and that rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak will be able to get sufficient internet connection soon.
"I have nothing personal against the deputy minister. We just want to maintain the good name of this House," Ling said.
Rais also responded by saying that Zahidi will not be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee since the latter had adhered to his instruction to apologise to the Senate today.
"Seeing the deputy minister's determination to appear (in the House) in resolving the issue, I, therefore, decide that what the deputy minister had said just now was made spontaneously and with sincerity and so his (apology) should be accepted by this House."